US Airways to order 20 Airbus A350 jets

Good news is finally coming from the US Airways. The US Airways Group Inc. has ordered 20 Airbus A350 planes. With this, they have finally honored their promise to buy the fuel-efficient aircraft, which they plan to operate on the trans-Atlantic routes. This decision is a part of the financing deal for the airline’s acquisition by America West Airlines.

Airbus SAS announced this new order yesterday but did not reveal the financial details of the order. At market prices, these planes are worth around USD 4 Billion. However, looking at the competition between Airbus and Boeing, the actual price of each plane would be comprehensive lower than the market price.

The new aircraft would be replacing US Airways’ current fleet of Boeing 767s and Airbus A330s in 2011 on the targeted route. US Airways currently operate flights to about a dozen European cities from their bases in Philadelphia and Charlotte. The delivery of these new planes would start in 2011 and run through 2014.

Airbus has however also said that the airline company is yet to select an engine supplier for this deal.